El Faro (Pacasmayo)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
El Faro (Pacasmayo) is a legendary left point break on Peru’s northern coast, known for fast, hollow, powerful wave sections and extremely long rides. Multiple references emphasize that the wave is capable of holding large size and staying organized on the best Southern Hemisphere swells, which is why it’s primarily a destination for experienced surfers seeking major line-up performance. For surfing, the spot is typically best with a Southwest/South swell (working around 1.0–4.0 m) and with tide conditions that favor an exposed, well-shaped face—low and mid tide are commonly mentioned as ideal. Offshore wind for surfing is associated with NE/E winds, while S–SSE/SE winds tend to become side-offshore. Ride length is repeatedly described as very long (hundreds of meters in typical waves, and potentially longer on exceptional days), with the line running from the point toward the town side. Cold, nutrient-influenced water temperatures run roughly 14–20°C year-round, and a wetsuit is treated as necessary in all sources. Hazards are significant around the entry: rocks and sea urchins/reef features can create puncture risk, and strong currents can pull you down the point with the wave. If you come off your gear, the combination of wind and current is described as capable of carrying it away from shore, so planning for recovery matters. Operationally, conditions are most consistent during the local swell season (often summarized as May–October, with additional favorable winter/spring months depending on the activity). Weekday sessions are described as emptier, while weekends can bring more crowd pressure; for safety and performance, it’s advised to pick conditions carefully and start cautiously past the initial rock area.
- World-class left point break with potentially extremely long ride lengths
- Cold but clean water year-round; wetsuit required
- Recognized hazards: rocks, reef, and sea urchins; strong currents
- World-class left point break with extremely long rides on the best swells
- Water is clean and generally deep in the main riding area once past the initial rock
- Strong seasonal consistency in swell and trade/thermal wind patterns during the main season
- Expert-level wave: fast, powerful, and very long, with high consequence if you are out of position
- Rocks/sea urchins concentrated around the entry; strong currents and distance from help
- Wind setup can be side-offshore/offshore depending on direction, increasing drift risk
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, ENE, E, NE, SSE, SE, SSW, SW, S
- Offshore directions
- ENE, NNE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Consistent trade winds; wind direction can shift between NE/E and S–SW depending on the setup.
- Reliability
- 80% blown (kiting); very high during main season from April to November
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Sources describe steady/offshore-consistent winds; one notes light gusts.
- Best Months
- January, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Minor turbulence very close to the point rocks
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand with rocky/reef elements near the break.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Big — Commonly ranges from small to big; best working window is around 1.0–4.0 m on the swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Start at low cliffs and walk roughly 2 km south to the point; sandy launch area downwind of the point near the lighthouse is also referenced.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate due to rocky entry and required walk.
Through the year
Weekdays empty/quiet; weekends can be busier during peak conditions
Rarely rains as it is a desert climate
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is possible and the winds can be very favorable, but strong currents and rocky hazards make it less ideal than surfing at this specific launch.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Windsurfing is a strong option when the wind and swell align; down-the-line wave riding is possible with foil potential in smoother sections.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–5.7 m²
Possible for experienced wingfoilers in flatter/choppier setups, but rocky point hazards and strong currents reduce suitability compared to surfing.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly; minimum depth reported as deep enough once past rock, and one source cites a 2 meter minimum.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
World-class left point break with fast, hollow, powerful sections and very long rides (often hundreds of meters) on the best Southern Hemisphere swells.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, SSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Low tide is commonly cited as ideal; some notes also include mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline; surf is shaped by the point and wind angle.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore for surfing when winds are NE/E; S/SSE are side-offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds massive size and stays organized on large Southern Hemisphere swells; described as able to hold up to 4 m+ without closing out (when conditions are right).
- Wave Quality
- World class — Consistently recognized as world-class.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — World-class, powerful lefts.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Can form hollow/fast wall sections; occasionally barrels are mentioned in notes.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — One source lists fast; another describes medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Long — Very long rides with exceptional length on the best swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 300–1500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Around 300–500 m normal; exceptional rides can exceed 500 m. Another source reports very long rides spanning from the point toward the town pier (500–1500 m on ideal days).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for El Faro (Pacasmayo) in the full forecast view.
El Faro (Pacasmayo) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–16 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- S182°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–1.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, El Faro (Pacasmayo) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.2–1.9 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- reefs
- sea urchins
- strong currents
- offshore/distance from help
- stones
- offshore wind
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No dedicated lifeguard service reported; rescue is generally limited and handled by private boats.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Sources conflict slightly (one says no rescue); regional baseline describes limited rescue managed by private boats.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Pacasmayo town (ground baseline also references Hospital Distrital de Pacasmayo; general emergency numbers in the region include 105 and 116).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — One source describes no localism, while another indicates mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Follow standard wave priority rules and local rotation; avoid crowded weekend sessions where possible.
- Start carefully past the initial rock; many hazards are concentrated near the entry.
- Plan for a long walk back if the wind is side-offshore; the current and wind can carry lost gear away from shore.
- Avoid weekends for emptier sessions; mornings are calmer.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pacasmayo
- Nearest Town
- Pacasmayo
- Nearest Airport
- Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport (TRU), approximately 100 km south
- Parking
- Parking is available near the lighthouse and also at/near Km 663; short walk (about 5–15 minutes) from parking to the spot.
- Public Transport
- Intercity buses connect to Pacasmayo from Lima and Trujillo; local transport via mototaxis.
- Access
- By road via Km 663 of the North Panamericana (OK for all vehicles), also accessible by bus. From town: head to the sea front, pass through streets south over low cliffs, then walk about 2 km south to the point.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Spanish
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Specialized eco-resorts directly at/near the point; more basic lodging in Pacasmayo town.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options in town; restaurants/bars are available in Pacasmayo town center and also at point resorts.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear for surfing/windsurfing is referenced through specialized resorts near the point; surfing and wind options at resorts.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is offered by point resorts for guests.
- Gear Repair
- Basic board/sail repair services available in town and/or via point resorts.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A wave-sports focused coastline in northern Peru, paired with archaeological destinations nearby.
A historic 19th-century wooden pier extending into the Pacific.
The largest pre-Columbian adobe city in the Americas, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ancient Moche temples featuring intricate murals.
Riding the large coastal dunes surrounding the Pacasmayo area.
Popular spot for fresh ceviche and local seafood overlooking the bay.
A traditional fishing village known for its reed boats (Caballitos de Totora).
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at El Faro (Pacasmayo)?
The best overall months at El Faro (Pacasmayo) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are January, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at El Faro (Pacasmayo)?
El Faro (Pacasmayo) works with ESE, ENE, E, NE, SSE, SE, SSW, SW, S winds. Offshore directions are ENE, NNE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at El Faro (Pacasmayo)?
Recommended equipment sizes at El Faro (Pacasmayo): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is El Faro (Pacasmayo) suitable for?
El Faro (Pacasmayo) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Expert.